Fayetteville’s Dorothy D. Gilmore Adaptive Recreation Center has been dedicated to serving residents with disabilities since 1991.
Updates to the center’s playground continue this mission, replacing equipment that has reached its recommended lifespan with more accessible versions.
Renderings of the colorful new playground highlight musical instrument sensory exploration equipment, and ramp access to the main playground structure. The city’s first accessible merry-go-round, which allows a child in a wheelchair to roll onto a platform and be spun around, will also be added.
“When the city invests in play spaces that are not just accessible but actually inclusive, we’re providing an opportunity for all individuals to discover their independence and confidence,” said David Scott, Fayetteville’s communications manager. “In these spaces, individuals of all abilities can play, learn and grow together. Creating an inclusive space creates a space for everyone.”
The city announced construction on the new playground late last week, and expects it to finish by mid- to late-November. In total, the project will cost $206,204 from the city’s general fund.
The Dorothy D. Gilmore Adaptive Recreation Center also saw a big renovation two years ago, the city spending $1.37 million to expand it by over 3,000 square feet and add a new interactive sensory room and family restrooms. The renovation was paid for by a parks and recreation bond package passed in 2016, along with county and state money.
“[The Dorothy D. Gilmore Adaptive Recreation Center] stands as a beacon of inclusivity, providing essential services to individuals with disabilities,” Mayor Mitch Colvin said at the ribbon cutting and reopening ceremony in 2023. “This is a space dedicated to enhancing the lives of our residents, fostering independence and promoting their well-being through our programs.”
On average, the center serves between 250 and 300 residents a week, providing them with adaptive exercise and independent living skills classes. Expanding the recreation center and updating the playground follows the city’s most recent consolidated plan and annual action plan, which set a goal to increase access to services and housing for residents with disabilities.
Over 17% of Cumberland County residents have some type of disability, according to an estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau. It’s a larger population than many other urban areas in North Carolina, including Greensboro, Durham, and Raleigh, according to the University of Montana’s Research & Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities.
Ambulatory difficulties are the most common disability reported to the Census Bureau, which defines them as “having serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.” Cognitive disabilities were also among the most common.
Cumberland County’s veteran population — the highest in the state, according to data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — could be the reason for the large number of residents living with a disability. Veterans are more likely to have a disability, according to the Census Bureau.
Fort Bragg could also be a contributing factor. Many soldiers with family members with special needs are sent to Fort Bragg because of its proximity to the Duke and UNC health systems, Casey Clark, Fort Bragg’s Exceptional Family Member Program manager and a retired Army staff sergeant, previously told CityView.
Cumberland County Schools served 7,200 students with its Exceptional Children’s Services program during the 2024-2025 school year, according to the district’s website.
CityView Reporter Morgan Casey is a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms. Morgan’s reporting focuses on health care issues in and around Cumberland County and can be supported through the News Foundation of Greater Fayetteville.